A traffic survey in Dubai collects data on vehicle movements, turning counts, pedestrian flows and travel patterns at roads and junctions — used by transport consultants and developers to prepare Traffic Impact Studies (TIS) for Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Municipality development approvals.
What is a Traffic Impact Study (TIS) in Dubai?
A Traffic Impact Study (TIS) assesses the impact of a proposed development on the surrounding road network. It uses survey data to model future traffic conditions, identify required road improvements and demonstrate that the development can be served by the existing network without unacceptable impact.
RTA Dubai requires a TIS for most significant developments including residential towers, commercial buildings, retail centres, hotels, warehouses and industrial facilities. The TIS must be prepared by an RTA-approved traffic consultant using RTA-approved traffic count data.
Types of Traffic Surveys in Dubai
- Manual Classified Turning Movement Count (TMC) — surveyors record all vehicle movements at a junction by vehicle class during peak hours
- Automatic Traffic Count (ATC) — electronic tube counters or radar sensors collect 24/7 or multi-day vehicle count data without manual observers
- Pedestrian Count — pedestrian flows counted at crossings, building entrances and public spaces
- Queue Length Survey — queue lengths measured at peak periods to assess junction performance
- Origin-Destination (O-D) Survey — roadside interviews or number plate surveys to establish travel patterns
- Speed & Delay Survey — travel time and speed data collected along road corridors
- Parking Survey — occupancy and turnover data for existing and proposed parking facilities
- Road Safety Audit — independent safety review of new road designs and existing accident locations
Traffic Survey Cost in Dubai (2026)
| Survey Type | Starting Cost (AED) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Manual TMC (per junction, 12-hour) | AED 2,500 | 1 day |
| ATC Count (per counter, 7-day) | AED 1,800 | 7 days + report |
| Pedestrian Count (per location) | AED 1,200 | 1 day |
| Full TIS Data Package (5 junctions) | AED 14,000 | 1–2 weeks |
| Road Safety Audit (Stage 1-4) | AED 8,000 | 1–2 weeks |
RTA Approved: Sky TerraEye is an RTA-approved traffic surveyor in Dubai. All our traffic count data meets RTA standards for TIS submissions. Call +971 50 309 1162 to discuss your traffic survey requirements and timeline.
When Do You Need a Traffic Survey in Dubai?
- Before submitting a development application to DM or Trakhees that requires a TIS
- For planning applications requiring road improvement or signal timing assessments
- For retail or commercial developments requiring car park design validation
- For school, hospital or community facility applications requiring pedestrian safety assessment
- For road improvement or widening feasibility studies
- For post-development monitoring of traffic impacts
Traffic Survey Process at Sky TerraEye
- Survey Design — we review the development proposal and agree survey locations, types and duration with the transport consultant
- RTA Coordination — where required, we coordinate with RTA for permission to use automatic counters on public roads
- Field Data Collection — trained surveyors collect data at agreed locations and times
- Data Processing — raw counts are processed and validated against directional splits and seasonal factors
- Report Delivery — formatted count sheets, summary tables and raw data files delivered in RTA-accepted format
Frequently Asked Questions
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